Soroti University has continued to strengthen its position in research and innovation, emerging as 1st Runners-Up at the recently concluded Inter-University Innovation Challenge held during Innovation Week at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
The event, organized by the Mbarara University Engineering Society (MUES), took place from 15th to 17th April 2026 and brought together student innovators and academic staff from a range of institutions, including Ndejje University, Kabale University, Kampala International University, Ernest Cook University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Kadogo Community Polytechnic. The Innovation Week was held under the theme “Building a Better World Through Research and Innovation.”
The University was represented by four student teams competing across key innovation areas, including health technology, agricultural technology, and education technology, reflecting a growing emphasis on interdisciplinary, problem-driven innovation.
Soroti University emerged as 1st Runners-Up overall, with one of its student teams earning a cash award of UGX 1,000,000. The Mindset team presented an Android-based mental wellness application designed to expand access to mental healthcare through technology. The team was led by Anthony Mugumya (Team Leader), alongside Abel Ekode, Owen Mbayo, Chance Jackson, and Shimon Nomwesigwa, whose collective effort and technical expertise contributed to the success of the project.
The project was developed at the ET4D Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Ann Move Oguti and Mr. Balinda Roland Mujungu. Mindset integrates a 24/7 AI-powered chatbot, guided meditation, and stress-relief audio, built using modern Android development technologies to ensure accessibility and sustained user engagement. The application also incorporates gamified habit-forming features aimed at improving user retention in digital wellness platforms.
In the Innovation Paper Challenge, Soroti University also emerged as 1st Runners-Up, with Amanya Edwin, a student from the Daimari Lab, under the mentorship of Dr. Abubakhari Sserwadda, presenting a paper titled “EquiHealth: A Data-Driven Framework for Addressing Structural Inequities in Uganda’s Public Health System.” The work highlights the role of data-driven approaches in addressing systemic challenges within the health sector.
The event was graced by the Guest of Honor, Hon. Elioda Tumwesigye, Member of Parliament for Sheema North Constituency, former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, former Minister of Health, Executive Director of the Integrated Community Based Initiatives (ICOBI), and entrepreneur. In his remarks, he emphasized the need for universities to move beyond theoretical instruction towards innovation-driven, solution-oriented education systems, urging students to develop practical and scalable solutions that directly address societal challenges.
The Deputy Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Excellence Favor, commended the students for their outstanding performance and reaffirmed the School’s strong support for innovation. She emphasized the importance of moving beyond prototypes to solutions that are practical, scalable, and responsive to real-world constraints. She further noted that platforms such as Innovation Week are instrumental in shaping a generation of innovators who are not only technically competent, but also context-aware and equipped to address real societal challenges.
Industrial Liaison Officer Mr. Fabian Dickens Ebiju noted that the event attracted key industry players, including Fundibots, Nile Breweries Limited, Kreative Kampus, and Centenary Bank. He appreciated their support towards the success of the event and called for stronger academia-industry collaborations to enable students to develop solutions tailored to industry needs. He further highlighted that such engagements align with the Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum as spearheaded by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Beyond the competition, the Soroti University Engineering Society engaged in a benchmarking exercise with the Mbarara University Engineering Society, including a structured interaction meeting to share experiences and best practices, as well as a friendly football match that fostered collaboration and strengthened inter-university relations.
In recognition of its strong performance and growing contribution to innovation, Soroti University has been invited to host the next Inter-University Innovation Challenge, marking a significant milestone.
The University commends the students, mentors, and the School of Engineering and Technology for their dedication and continued commitment to advancing applied research and innovation. These achievements reflect a focus on developing solutions that are not only innovative, but also practical, scalable, and responsive to real-world needs.